Windows 7 has been one of Microsoftâ€™s most popular operating system releases to date and has received universal praise for the way it has advanced from Windows XP and Vista. If you are still using either of the earlier operating systems, upgrading to Windows 7 is something you should really think about; the following features should explain why.

Speed

Windows XP was a fairly speedy operating system and showed just how good Windows can be when Microsoft gets it right. Sadly, all of that good work was undone by the sluggish nature of Windows Vista, which was not only slow, but unresponsive. Windows 7 brings back, and increases, the speed that was a feature of XP and has a sprightlier feel, putting users in full control of the desktop. Menus and applications are much faster, and boot up time is also much speedier.

Vista garnered a reputation for ensuring even the beefiest hardware looked a bit average. Windows 7, however, will run well on lower end hardware, making the transition from Window XP less painful.

Lower system requirements

Windows Vista made a hash of performing on well, even on the most powerful of computers, once again undoing the good work of XP. Windows 7 has been designed to run smoothly on even lower hardware specs and seems much more like a successor to XP. As long as your computer meets the minimum system requirements of Windows 7, you can expect to have a slick OS that is able to handle multi-tasking with aplomb.

Improved Start menu

The Windows 7 Start menu may look very similar to the one seen on Vista, but on further investigation you can see that it is much more powerful than its predecessor. Items are well grouped together, larger and more clearly visible. Multiple Windows Explorer or Document windows will be displayed in an over-lapping stack which will show thumbnails of each window when the mouse is hovered over the icon. You will also be able to close windows directly from the thumbnail, adding efficiency for the user.

Stacking

Stacking is a great feature which lets you drag a window over to the side of the desktop and it will automatically stick their, filling half of the screen. This makes it really easy to view documents side-by-side.

Aero-shake

Another standout feature in Windows 7 is â€˜aero-shakeâ€™. If you have numerous windows open at one, but want to focus on one window in particular, aero-shake lets you grab it at the top and shake it with the mouse, minimising all other windows in the process.

Touch capability

If you have a touch-enabled PC, Windows 7 can help you maximise its potential, giving you a whole new way of interacting with your computer. You will be able to use the task bar to open apps, scroll up and down by swiping the screen, and rotate and zoom in on pictures by holding the screen. The novelty of this feature is likely to wear off with most users, but just knowing that you have it is enough.